Newport News Market Attracts Far And Wide

Winder took her time deciding which fruits and vegetables she wanted to buy Friday on the opening day of the city-run farmers market on Jefferson Avenue and 28th Street.

FOR THE RECORD - Published correction ran Sunday, April 30, 2000.A photo caption in some editions of Saturday's Local section incorrectly identified Newport News Assistant Chief Carl Burt as the department's chief. He is the assistant chief but is referred to others in the department as Chief Burt. (Text has been corrected.)

She squeezed oranges. She picked up a bunch of asparagus, held it close to her face and then passed it to Cross.

She walked the length of the produce stand, turned around and walked back.

"The prices are good," Winder said. "Everything is so fresh."

A gut feeling said this woman knew her produce.

Winder and Cross didn't plan to shop in the East End of Newport News until Friday morning, when they read about the market's opening.

They live in Hampton near NASA Research Center.

"I didn't have anything to come up here for," Winder said.

City officials hope the farmers market attracts other people like Winder and Cross.

They see the market as a regional draw, bringing in shoppers from across the Peninsula. More than 70 vendors have asked about renting space at the market, including farmers from Surry County and the Eastern Shore.

City officials also see the market as a valuable revitalization tool for the area - a first step in bringing more businesses to the East End.

They decided to build their own farmers market in 1997, after waiting two years for the Greater Southeast Development Corp. to build one.

The Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority later sued Greater Southeast to recover property bought with federal money for a farmers market that was never built. The property was turned over to the city in April 1999.

"Some of us wondered if we would ever live long enough to see this farmers market open," Mayor Joe Frank told the opening day crowd.

Bad weather, poor soil and contractor delays postponed the opening day for nearly a year. The city spent $635,000 to build the nearly 11,000- square-foot, open-air building.

The market has its share of critics. Some say the city spent too much. Some say grocery stores and banks are more needed in the East End than a farmers market.

Others worry crime and poverty - or at least the perception of them - will discourage shoppers from visiting regularly. On Friday, one woman stopped by the market and left walking up Jefferson Avenue with a used red-and-white checkered paper tablecloth put out for a fried chicken dinner crumpled in her arms.

Winder and Cross walked off with two bags of produce for less than $15.

Winder bought the asparagus.

"If you want," said vendor Donna West, "I'll put this in the bag with the potatoes."

Potatoes, tomatoes and asparagus.

For $2, Winder added a carton of oranges to the shopping bags Cross carried.

"I think that just about does it," Winder said.

And then she saw a carton of green pears for $3.

"OK," she said, "I think that just about does it."

The market reminded Winder of a produce stand she and Cross visit twice a year in the Amish country of Pennsylvania.

This one is not quite as grand as the one in Pennsylvania. And on a cool day in late April - a good month before farmers harvest spring produce - the selection wasn't as varied.

But Winder saw potential and looked forward to the summer and fall months.

"We'll be back."

Fred Carroll can be reached at 247-4756 or by e-mail at fcarroll@dailypress.com